‘Breadbasket of New England’

BRUNSWICK — Vital Connections, a mid-coast citizen group, will present a forum titled, “Maine: Breadbasket of New England?” at 6 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Pilgrim House, First Parish Church, 9 Cleaveland St.

Tom Settlemire of Brunswick is the featured speaker. He will be followed by three commentators, Esther Lacognata of Topsham and Alexander Petroff and Jim McCarthy of Brunswick. An hour is being reserved for discussion with the audience, moderated by John Rensenbrink of Topsham.

Settlemire will give a brief history of food production in Maine from the mid-1880s and put that in the context of current efforts to once again bring Maine close to food self-sufficiency.

Lacognata will detail what she describes as “the astonishing revolution in Maine agriculture.”

Petroff will talk on food security for Maine and what farmers, in an age of expensive fuel, will need in order to grow the food the people of Maine will eat and to do so at a competitive price.

Jim McCarthy will make the case that the “bread baskets” the country has relied on for almost a century will not be sustainable for much longer and asks whether it isn’t now time to create a bread basket closer to home, that’s sustainable, scaled appropriately to local communities and environments.

Lewiston Bridge Club

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Bridge Club winners at the Lewiston Armory on Feb. 11 were as follows: first, Jeanine Kivus and David Lock; second, Larry Fortier and Roger Labbe; third, Connie Webster and Claire Lyons.

Winners on Feb. 12 were: first, Nancy Lindgren and Les Buzzell; second, Cynthia and Bill Clifford; third, Larry Fortier and Roger Labbe.

Winners on Feb. 19 were: first, Linda Leotsakos and Jan Arey; second, Rosemarie Goodwin and Mike True; third, Nancy Lindgren and Les Buzzell; fourth, Cynthis and Bill Clifford; first in B & C, Cynthia and Bill Clifford; second in B & C, Larry Fortier and Roger Labbe; third in B, Hazel Glazier and Bob Kirchherr.

Games are played every Monday and Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Seniors Room at the Lewiston Armory, 65 Central Ave. A partner is always guaranteed. Call Rosemarie at 754-1431 for more information.

‘October Baby’ film to be shown

LEWISTON — The Holy Cross Knights of Columbus Council 12,652 will present the movie “October Baby” at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 3, in the Church Hall, 1080 Lisbon St.

In the film, college student Hannah experiences a medical issue. After countless tests, all signs point to one underlying factor: Hannah’s difficult birth. She learns that she was adopted after a failed abortion attempt. Hannah and a group of friends embark on a journey to discover her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future. The movie is rated PG-13.

There is no charge to view the movie. A concession stand will be available along with a 50/50 drawing.

For more information contact Grand Knight Dan Leclair at 754-2841 or via email at knightsofcolumbus@roadrunner.com or Larry Thibault at 783-6860.

Sabattus Seniors lunch meeting

SABATTUS — Sabattus Seniors to meet Thursday, March 7, at Maxwell Gill Hall. Lunch will be corned beef and cabbage with carrots, turnips, boiled potatoes and dessert. To sign up or cancel, call Pauline at 375-4037 no later than March 3.

New members are always accepted.

Many trips are planned; they are offered to all seniors, whether members or not. Trips being planned by Jean include: La Cabin a Pierre, Lake Megantic, Atlantic City at Bally’s, Foster’s Clam Bake in York, New York City, Washington D.C. and Foxwoods/Twin River Casino with show. Jean can be reached at 784-5264. Trips offered by Helen are Foxwood/Grand Pequot; Beacon Resort Irish Show in Lincoln, N.H.; and Rocking Horse Dude Ranch. Contact Helen at 375-6588.

Auburn Art Club meets March 4

AUBURN — The Auburn Art Club will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, March 4, at the Park Avenue Methodist Church. Kathy Haley, well-known local musician, will present the program.

Haley is from Danville and began performing at an early age as a church organist, pianist and folk singer. From the late 70s to the early 90s, she was as lead singer with the top 40 dance band Good and Plenty.

She performs regularly with Phil House and is a member of the vocal group The Girls of LA. She is the organist/choir director at the Court Street Baptist Church in Auburn and is the accompanist for the Edward Little High School choral program.

Donna Sweetser is the chairman of the committee for this meeting and will be assisted by Grace Keene, Elaine Sylvester and Jeanne Laliberte. All members are encouraged to attend.

YMCA program registration

AUBURN — The Auburn-Lewiston YMCA is now registering for early spring programs. Most sessions begin the week of March 4.

Programs include QuickStart tennis, baseball and softball hitting instruction, T-ball and swim lessons for kids. For adults and teens, offerings include lifeguard certification, couch to 5K program, corporate challenge events and nearly 50 group exercise programs each week.

All-ages programs bring families together with healthy activities such as Family Fun Nights and Healthy Kids Day.

A complete program guide is available at www.alymca.org. The Y-Access Financial Assistance program makes healthy living more affordable for those with financial need.

For more information, contact Mary Murphy, membership director, at 207-795-4095 or mmurphy@alymca.org.

Lung cancer info session

LEWISTON — The American Cancer Society predicts nearly 229,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year in the United States. While smokers are of greater risk of developing cancer, people who have never smoked aren’t immune.

Learn about the risk factors of lung cancer, prevention measures, including smoking cessation, and the impact of the disease on the community during a free presentation at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the Lepage Large Conference Room, 99 Campus Ave.

Hematologist and oncologist Mahesh Pandey, M.D., of St. Mary’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, will lead the discussion and answer questions about lung cancer.

The center’s lung cancer nurse navigator, Jennifer Hazen, will share resources available to individuals who want to quit smoking, including assistance with obtaining nicotine replacement therapies. Hazen will also discuss the immediate and long-term benefits of quitting smoking.

Seating is limited. To register, call 777-8458 by March 10.

Workshops on college planning

LEWISTON — The Maine Educational Opportunity Center will host free workshops titled Essentials of College Planning for adults 19 and over at 10 a.m. Wednesdays, March 13 and 27, at the Lewiston CareerCenter, 5 Mollison Way. To register or for more information, call 1-800-281-3703 or visit meoc.maine.edu.

The Essentials of College Planning workshop that outlines the four steps in the college process: admissions, financial aid, career planning and study skills. The workshop lasts approximately two to three hours. Preregistration is required. For more information or to register, call 1-800-281-3703.

Services of MEOC include GED/SAT preparation, college planning, referrals and advocacy, career advising, financial aid advising, college admissions process and application fee waivers for qualified adults.

Book club picks next selection

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Public Library’s Tuesday evening book club has announced its next selection: “Crossing to Safety,” by Wallace Stegner. The next meeting of the club will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the library’s Couture Room.

This newly-formed book club is accepting new members. To register, contact the LPL Adult Services Department at 513-3135 or LPLReference@LewistonMaine.gov.

LPL has three additional book clubs with openings for new members. For details, visit LPLonline.org/Bookclubs or contact the Adult Services Department.

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